Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz has informed Bayern Munich that he is planning to join Liverpool, according to David Ornstein.
The Reds have taken the lead in the race to sign the 22-year-old Germany international. David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that the player has now informed his other suitors, Bayern, of his preference to head to Anfield.
Wirtz recently travelled to Merseyside for talks with Liverpool officials, and Ornstein has now confirmed BILD’s reporting that the player has begun house-hunting in England. Wirtz’s decision to choose Liverpool will have shocked Bayern, but it had been coming.
Earlier this week, it was claimed that Liverpool’s interest in Wirtz had left Bayern ‘fearing the worst,’ and for good reason, it seems.
Honorary president Uli Hoeness, who has an excellent relationship with Wirtz’s father, had been doing ‘everything in his power’ to convince the Germany international and his family to snub Liverpool, but to no avail.
Wirtz family impressed by Liverpool
Bayern were aware of the fact that Wirtz and his family had been left hugely impressed by their talks with the Anfield club, but they still felt they were the favourites for his signature as of Friday morning.
Liverpool have told Wirtz that they are willing to do and pay whatever it takes to bring him to Merseyside this summer, and this clearly had a positive effect. They are ready to make him the heartbeat of Arne Slot’s side, and they don’t care if they have to shell out €100 million or €150m to land him.
According to Ornstein, Liverpool have not yet agreed a fee with Leverkusen, and the matter certainly won’t be a formality given his hefty price tag. However, Leverkusen will definitely be somewhat relieved by Wirtz’s decision.
The Bundesliga side had been unwilling to do business with rivals Bayern and were hoping that Wirtz would elect to head abroad if he indeed decided to leave the club.
Football transfer news headlines today
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
